After a while, you learn the difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul, that love doesn’t mean leaving and company doesn’t mean security, and that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises. You accept your defeats with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child, build all your roads on today
because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain.

After a while, you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much. So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. You really can endure, you really are strong, and that you really do have worth. With every goodbye, there’s a hello.